The Hike

sometimes i wonder if this mountain i'm climbing is even worth it
i trek across this mountain looking, searching for the "wonder" and "beauty" that people keep telling me is here
but i can never seem to find it
except for every now and then when i'll catch a glimpse, a glimmer
and then it is gone, clouded over by the reality of the rocks beneath my feet sliding down this uneven, unpredictable trail i'm following
is this even the right trail? have i wandered off?
i might have.
all i do is come to these hills that seem to go up, on and on forever only to slope back down so steep that i slip and tumble down to the bottom
so that i can wipe myself off and start up the next

i think i'll stop, just for a moment
close my eyes and rest my head
but that will only ease my pain for a moment
my only other option -- fly away
fly away from these mountains
through the clouds, back to the place where i belong
not in this wilderness among the thorns and jagged rocks
but amongst the people i've missed
the lost, but the loved
where i was meant to be
in the clouds
not on the hike